Firefighters were called around 2:45 p.m. to the 300 block of South Broadway near Gough Street.

Crews encountered heavy smoke and flames from a three-story brick building that spread to neighboring buildings. Smoke could be seen from miles away.

The firefighter complained of back injuries while fighting the fire. What led to his injuries remains under investigation.

Fire officials said the injured firefighter might have fallen from a ladder. Witnesses said they thought they saw him jump.

"We were watching. The building was on fire when the firefighter was in there trying to put the fire out. And then, all of a sudden, we see him jump out the window. He came out of the window without a net, without anything under him. He jumped down and he hit the ground. I hope he's all right," said Aris Smalls, a witness.

Fire officials said they do not believe that the fire is suspicious. Officials said workers on the roof might have sparked the fire in some way.

The Fire Department described the fire location as a commercial store front.

Broadway was blocked to traffic between Bank and Pratt, and Gough Street was blocked to traffic between Regester and Bethel.